Radiator reflow device



May 10, 1927.

E. 0. WEEKS RADIATOR REFLOW DEVICE Filed Jan.21. '1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor.-

. igfforne 1,627,814 May 1927' E 0. WEEKS RADIATOR REFLOW DEVI CE Filed Jan.21. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [nu/en for from which the ra charged from time to time to maintain a,

Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,627,8l4 PATENT OFFICE.

ELLING 0. WEEKS, OI MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

nsnmron narrow navron.

Application filed January 21, 1921. Serial No. 438,813.

engine at a predetermined degree to operate the engine at the highest point, of elliciency. Engines of this type are usually cooled w1th water which is circulated through a cooling radiator from the engine. In order to maintain the proper temperature of the engine, it is necessar to keep a predetermined level of water in t e radiator without in any manner interfering with the circulation of the water between the radiator and the engine.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a radiator reflow device which will accomplish the before mentioned desirable features in a very simple and elii- I provide a radiator reflow device which Is of cient manner.

A further object of the invention, is to provide a radiator reflow device which may be easily connected to automobile engines and radiators now in general use without impairing their a pearance or interfering in any manner wit the functions of the mechamsm.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator reflow device having a means for receiving the overflow caused by ex ansion of the cooling medium within the ra iator and returning it to the radiator when the cooling medium gets below a pre determined level.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator reflow device having a supplemental supply of cooling medium iator is automatically reconstant level of the cooling medium in the radiator. 1 w p A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator reflow device having means for connection with the intake manifold of the engine for producing a partial vacuum in the radiator and thereby return the coolin medium to the radiator.

a further object ofthe invention is to provide a radiator reflow device having a fioat means positioned outside of the radia tor for automatically controlling the level of the cooling medium within the radiator and also for controlling the flow of moist vapor to the intake manifold of the engine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator reflow device for supplying moist vapor to the intake manifold o the engine to improve the combustible. uality of the motor fuel and to retard the ormation of carbon in the cylinders of the motors.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator reflow device in which a visible means is rovided for showing the reflow of the coo ing mediumto the radiator and an audible means provided for indicating a shortage of the cooling medium within the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator reflow device in which almost a, constant circulation of the cooling medium ismaintained between the radiator and the supplemental tank of the device to prevent freezin the medium in the tank or radiator in coltf weather.

A further object of the invention is to simpleconstruction and efiicient in operation, is strong and durable, and is well adapted for the purpose described.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved rad ator reflow device and its parts and combinations as set 'forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

F g. 1 is a diagrammatic view,=part-ly in section, of a portion of an automobile engine and radiator provided with the improved reflow device;

Ifig. 2 is an enlarged view of the visual indicating means adapted to be mounted on the radiator cap of the automobile' Flg. 3 is a vertical sectional view, on a larger scale, of the float chamber for automaticallycontrolling the reflow of the medium to the radiator;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of one of the supplemental tank valves; and

' Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view, partly in section, of a portion of an automobile engine and radiator provided with a modified form ofreflow device.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 8 indicates the front portion of an automobile which is provided with a radiator 9 and an internal combustion engine 10 having an intake manifold 11. The radiator is connected to the engine water jacket in the ordinary manner by tubes 12, only one of which is the end of said conduit within the tank is provided with a valve chamber 16 havi a weighted intake valve 17 and an outlet va ve 18. The valve 17 is opened by pressure in the radiator to admit the coolin medium from the overflow pipe to enter t e tank 14 while the valve 18 is opened to permit at-.- mospheric pressure to force the cooling medium from the su plemental tank 14 back through the over ow pipe to the radiator.

The supplemental tank 14 is also provided with an overflow pipe 19 the outer end of which extends through a side portion of the tank and the inner end is provided with a check valve 20 for preventing the entrance of air through the said ipe.

The filling opening 9 is closed in the ordinary manner by a threaded cap 21 having a transparent sight tube 22 mounted on its upper portion. a v v 7 he sight tube is mounted in a holding member 23 which is providedwith a threaded tubular portion 24, and said threaded tubular portion extends through the cap and is locked thereto by a nut 25. Said threaded tubular portion 24 opens communication between the sight tube 22 and the interior of the radiator and preferably forms a convenient means for sealing the sight tube in the holding member. An air tube or conduit 26 extends through the inner wall of the radiator and upwardly into the upper end of thesight tube and its upper'openend is covered edge openings 32 through which the cooling by a wire screen cap 27 to' revent the en trance of foreign matter t ereinto. The outer end of the air tube 26 extends to a float chamber 28 which is connected to the supplemental tank 14 b a tube 29 and a bracket 30.

Said float cham r is formed with a cylindrical guide and deflector member 31. which is formed with aside openmg 31 and lower medium flows from'the tube 29. A float 33 is guided in said deflecting member and carries a needle valve 34 at its upper end which closes a port 35 formed in the chamber 28. Said port 35 is in communication with, the intake manifold 11 of the engine bv a suction pi e 36 connected to themanifold and to the dllamber. In order to permit the float .33 to play vertically a short distance without afiectmg the valve 34, both the valve and the float stem 33 are provided with coactin recessed portions 37 and shoulders 37" w 1611 ermit loss movement between the two parts.

he valve parts are held in" engagement with each other by the tubular guide of the float chamber.

well 39 having a plu ment.

The inner end of the tube connection29is provided with a valve 41 to prevent air entering the float chamber from the tank when a partial vacuum is created in the said charn-, f bar and the radiator. i

The filling opening 14 of the tank 1 closed b a cap 42 which is provided wan whistle 3 adapted to,make an audible sound i when the COOllIlg medium in the tank gets below the valve 18 so that the. partial vacuum in the radiator will draw air through the cap whistle into the tank and from the tank through the overflow pipe to the radiator, thus producing an audible sound which will warn the driver that the tank needs refilling.

When the system is filled with water and the engine started, the water or other coolin medium in the radiator will expand on being heated and overflow through the pipe 13 into the tank. If the water level in the radiator drops for any reason the suction of the intake manifold through the pipes 36 and 26 and the float chamber 28 will reduce a partial vacuum in the radiator an cause atmospheric pressure to force water within the tank to raise the valve 18 and flow upwardly through the pipes 15 and 13 and into the radiator, and when the radiator is filled above its normal level as shown, the excess water will be drawn through the air Jipe 26 and into the float chamber and raise the float and valve 34 to closed position and stop the suction from the intake manifold. 'When the vacuum in the float chamber is reduced, the valve 41 which has been held in closed position by the suction, will drop to open position and the excess water in the chamber above the level of the water in the tank will flow into the tank. While the water is entering the radiator from the overflow pipe, it will pass upwardly into the sight tube and be visible while flowing from the drivers seat of the vehicle. If the water in the cooling'system gets too low, the whistle of the In normal use, the water is maintained in the radiator at the level shown in Fig. 1 and at which level the suction of the intake manifold will draw steam or. moist air from the upper rtion of the radiator-through pipe 26, va ve chamber 28 and the pi 6, and as soon as the vacuum caused by t is mtake manifold suction increases to an extent to permit the atmospheric pressure on the water in the tank 14 to .act', the said pressure will force the valve 18 to 0 en position and the water then will be fore u into the radiator through the ipes an 13 and if the water entirely til 3 theradiator it will then overflow and pass outwardly through the air tube 26 to the valve. chamber 28 and the,valve in said chamber will rise and cause the valve 34 to close and sto the suction from the intake manifold. ith the stoppage of this suction, the water in the valve I chamber 28 will flow outwardly through the pipe 29 back to-the tank 14' and at the same time the water in the radiator above the tube 13 will overflow into said tube and out throu h the tube 15 and into the tank 14. The cat valve 33 will, of course,drop, but until it drops down to the end of its stroke, the valve 34 will remain closed due to the lost motion between said valve and said float 33. The operation of the parts mentioned is practically continuous, so that there is almost a continuous suction and flow of water back and forth from the radiator to the tank 14 andduring this movement of the water,

the float is visible through the sight tube 22. During the period when the water in the 1'11; diator is below the upper end of the tube 13, and the valve 34 is in open position, moistair or steam can pass from said radiat0r to the intake manifold. Water can. only be drawn through pipe 26 when the operation of the device has entirely filled the radiator up to the top of the tube 22.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 5, the

radiator sight tube is omitted, and in lieu thereof, a sight tube 22 is mounted onthe instrument board of the vehicle and is connected in the loop of the air tube 26' which extends from the upper portion of the radiator to the float chamber 28, so that the action of the water is visible at the dash. The lower portion of the tank is also connected to the water chamber of the engine by a valved pipe 44 to provide for a constant circulation of the water through the tank.

From the foregoing description, itwillbe seen that the invention is 'well adapted for the urpose described.

. at-I claim as my invention is: V v 1. An internal combustion engine having a liquid cooling system, a supply tank for maintaining a normal supply of liquid in the system, and a transparent tubular sight Q device visible from the drivers seat and included in the li uid circuit and through which the liquid ows from the tank to the system.

2. An internal combustion engine having aliquid coolingsystelm atraniparent tubular sight device included within the liquid circult of said cooling' system and through which the liquid flows, and a tank for mamtaining a normal supply of lirpuidhin thisl 8513-.

e. roug e tern and which liqui 1s visib sight device when in movement.

3. An internal combustion engine having a liquid cooling system including aradiator provided with a capped filling opening, a transparent member mounted on said cap and in communication with the interior of the radiator, a tank, an overflow and reflow conduit connecting the upper portion oi the radiator to the tank, a float chamber having a port, a float valve controlling said port, a

conduit connected to the float chamber and extending into the upper portion of the transparent member, and another conduit connecting the port to the engine.

4. In combination with an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold and a radiator provided with an overflow pipe, a supplemental tank connected to the overflow pipe, a float chamber connected to the tank and having a port, a float valve controlling said port, a tube connectin the float chamber to the upper portion. 0 the radiator, and a tube connectin the float chamber port to the intake mani old.

5. In combination with an internal combustion engine havin an intake manifold and a radiator provided with an overflow pipe, a supplemental tank, a supply conduit connecting the overflow pipe to the tank, a float chamber connected to the tank and having a port, a float valve controlling said port, a conduit connectin the float chamber to the upper portion of t e radiator, a conduit connecting the port to the intake manifold, and an overflow conduit for the tank.

6. In combination with an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold and a radiator provided with an overflow .pipe, a supplemental tank, a conduit connecting the lower portion of the tank to the overflow pi e, a check valve controlling said.

chamber to the upper portion of the radiator at a oint higher than the upper end of the over ow pipe, and a conduit connecting the port to the intake manifold.

7. In combination with an internal com-' bustion engine having an intake manifold and a radiator provided with an overflow pipe, a supplemental tank, a conduit connecting the lower portion of the tank to the overflow pi e, a check valve controlling said conduit, a oat chamber positioned adjacent the tank and having a port, a conduit connectin the float chamber to the upper portion 0 the tank and havin a check valve controlling the flow theret rou h, a float valve within the float chamber or controlling-the port, a transparent tube extending upwardly from the upper portion of the radiator and in communication therewith, a suction pipe connected to the float chamber port and to the intake manifold and a conduit connected to the float chamber and extending into the radiator and upwardly into the upper portion of the transparent tube and in communication therewith.

8. In combination with an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold and a radiator rovided with a capped lilling opening and an overflow pipe, a supplemental tank, a conduit connecting the lower portion of the tank to the overflow pipe and provided with an inlet and an outlet check valve, a float chamber having a port, a float predetermined amount of play without movat mg the valve, a transparent member mounted on the radiator cap and in communicatron with the interior of the radiator, an air pipe connected to the float chamber and extending within the radiator and upwardly through the filling opening and into the upper portion of the transparent member and raving an open end, a suction ipe connected to the float chamber port and to the intake manifold, and an overflow pipe extending to the u per portion of the tank.

9. n combination with an internal combustion engine havin an intake manifold and a radiator provided with an overflow pipe, a supplemental tank connected to the overflow pipe, a float chamber connected to the tank and having a port, a float valve controlling said port, a tube connectin the float chamber to the upper portion 0% the radiator, and a tube connecting the port to the intake manifold of the engine.

In testimony whereof I afiixm si nature.

ELLING o. E KS. 

